CHARLES WESTBROOK: Changes will determine community support for Albany State, Darton merger
LETTER TO THE EDITIOR: Maintaining racially divisive title for combined ASU would hinder diversity
By Charles Westbrook
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Recently there have been requests for the entire community to support the announcement of consolidating Darton College with ASU. However, this request may be ignored by many in this community prior to hearing or seeing any evidence of significant changes. For example, there have been publicly stated issues with financial aid corruption, poor program results and lack of administrative direction for inappropriate protests. So the question becomes, what are the changes that will be made that would encourage the entire community to support this initiative?
Also, as reported in The Albany Herald a few weeks ago, USG Vice Chancellor for Communications Charles Sutlive was quoted as saying, “…We remain committed to serve the HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) mission and we are looking to serve an increasingly diverse population and community.” This statement appears to be contradictory. The contradiction becomes maintaining a racially discriminatory title that is no longer relevant when merging these two institutions.
Just because there were circumstances to start a college based on racial conditions in the past, does not justify maintaining a racially divisive title. Using past cultural experiences as a reason to keep these titles is no longer justifiable. If it were, then it would also be justifiable to use a title of “historically white college,” “historically white cemetery” and many other racially divisive titles that are no longer acceptable, relevant or prudent for today’s society.
Letting the people in this community hear about what changes will be made, and removing the racially divisive titles, will be a start in making these improvements. If the decision-makers for this consolidation fail to understand this approach, or if there is hesitation and resistance to make these changes, this will demonstrate they are not that serious about wanting the entire community’s support.
CHARLES WESTBROOK
Albany
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